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Thinking of giving Windows 8 a try, few questions:
So, I've been thinking about giving Windows 8 a try (once the Consumer Preview rolls out February 29th), but a have a few questions before going through with this:
- How does the licensing works on an Beta/Developer-Consumer preview build? is there a 30-day window? how does it works?
- Are the latest graphics/sound/etc drivers fully compatible with Windows 8?
- Same with games, will Steam/Origin work without a hitch?
- I think I know the answer to this but, will there be an option to disable the Metro UI completely?
Thanks!
OS
Windows 8.1 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
Intel Core i5-2500K
Motherboard
ASRock Z77 Extreme4
Memory
8GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Vapor-X
Sound Card
Realtek ALC898
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ XL2411T
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 @ 144Hz
Hard Drives
Plextor M3 Pro 128GB SSD
WD Blue Caviar
PSU
Seasonic G Series 650W
Case
Corsair Obsidian 650D
Cooling
Corsair H60 and Cooler Master MegaFlow 200mm
Keyboard
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid (CHERRY MX Blue Switches)
Mouse
Corsair Raptor M45
Browser
Google Chrome (latest stable build)
Antivirus
None
Well-Known Member
Pro User
There are numerous ways to switch the mode from mobile to desktop. I am playing Elder Scrolls Skyrim on Steam without problems. No problems with drivers of any kind even in the Alpha release. The beta version will have a timb bomb that lasts almost a year.
OS
17074 Pro
Computer type
Laptop
System Manufacturer/Model
HP dv7 3173nr
CPU
M520
Memory
5GB
Screen Resolution
1600x900
Internet Speed
120Mb/s
New Member
Pro User
Gold Member
Yep, the licensing will allow for about a year's use of the Consumer Preview. From what I've seen with Windows 8 Developer Preview, it seems to have MUCH better device support. Webcams on laptops work right from the install, I've even had wifi adapters that normally need separate drivers in Windows 7 be installed seamlessly in 8. The graphics performance has dramatically improved for lower end PCs as well. I can't say for gaming for my partition isn't large enough, but from the above post, I guess so.
And no, Windows 8 doesn't offer a user input to turn off metro, that's one of the points of Windows 8, and is the point of Windows Phone and is the point of Xbox. Microsoft is approaching software design throughout all their products in the metro design language.
OS
Windows 8.1 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
ASUS
CPU
AMD FX 8320
Motherboard
Crosshair V Formula-Z
Memory
16 gig DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS R9 270
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Hard Drives
1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
x2 3 TB Toshibas
Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
PSU
OCZ 500 watt
Case
A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
Cooling
Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
Keyboard
Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
Mouse
Microsoft Touch Mouse
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Antivirus
Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I have a tablet pc, hp slate 500. I do not like the metro look, so if it can't be disabled then I will stick with windows 7.
OS
Win 8.1 pro / win 8.1
System Manufacturer/Model
Surface Pro 2/ HP Desktop
CPU
core i5 \ AMD E1 - 1200 APU
Memory
4gb \ 4gb
Hard Drives
128gb ssd
BSOD Kernel Dump Analyst
VIP Member
Power User
Gold Member
It takes a while and a lot of getting used to but it's definitely a good choice to try it out. Especially if you'll be getting the full version when it's released, you might as well test it early so you're ready for the final release.
Most games and software work but some of them are not yet compatible with Windows 8. All the drivers work for the most part; you shouldn't run into any problems with Windows 8 DP or CP.
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64/Windows 8 Consumer Preview x64/Ubuntu 11.04
System Manufacturer/Model
Custom Build
CPU
Intel Pentium Dual Core E6700 3.2GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P5G41T-M LX
Memory
Strontium 8192MB DDR3 1333Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
msi GeForce N560GTX-M2D1GD5 1GB
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
CHIMEI CMV 221D 22"
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
Seagate 3.5'' 2TB HDD/WD Elements External 1TB HDD
PSU
SHAW Viper-1500w Gaming PSU
Case
Black eMaxx ATX Mini Tower Case
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 1000
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2000
Internet Speed
100GB @ 4.76Mbps
Revived
VIP Member
Power User
OS
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Home Built system
CPU
Core i5
Motherboard
Intel DH55PJ
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI 4650
Sound Card
Realtek HD Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
Screen Resolution
1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
Hard Drives
SSD 256 GB
Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
WDC 1 TB
PSU
Power
Case
Simbadda
Cooling
Conventional
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless
Mouse
Logitech Wireless
Internet Speed
1.4 MBPS
Other Info
External HDD WDC 2 TB
Dial Up Modem Huawei
Home-made Home Theater
Thanks for all the help fellas, let's hope once the Consumer Preview rolls out, there will be an option for disabling the Metro UI completely.
+rep to all!
OS
Windows 8.1 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
Intel Core i5-2500K
Motherboard
ASRock Z77 Extreme4
Memory
8GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Vapor-X
Sound Card
Realtek ALC898
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ XL2411T
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 @ 144Hz
Hard Drives
Plextor M3 Pro 128GB SSD
WD Blue Caviar
PSU
Seasonic G Series 650W
Case
Corsair Obsidian 650D
Cooling
Corsair H60 and Cooler Master MegaFlow 200mm
Keyboard
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid (CHERRY MX Blue Switches)
Mouse
Corsair Raptor M45
Browser
Google Chrome (latest stable build)
Antivirus
None
OS
Win 8.1 pro / win 8.1
System Manufacturer/Model
Surface Pro 2/ HP Desktop
CPU
core i5 \ AMD E1 - 1200 APU
Memory
4gb \ 4gb
Hard Drives
128gb ssd
Revived
VIP Member
Power User
You're both welcome.
OS
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Home Built system
CPU
Core i5
Motherboard
Intel DH55PJ
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI 4650
Sound Card
Realtek HD Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
Screen Resolution
1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
Hard Drives
SSD 256 GB
Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
WDC 1 TB
PSU
Power
Case
Simbadda
Cooling
Conventional
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless
Mouse
Logitech Wireless
Internet Speed
1.4 MBPS
Other Info
External HDD WDC 2 TB
Dial Up Modem Huawei
Home-made Home Theater
Hmmm - what's the betting that if there is one, the "turn off metro" option is at install time only? Or am I being cynical??
Regards
Robin
OS
WIN7 Home Premium 64-bit
System Manufacturer/Model
Homebuilt
CPU
Intel I7 920
Motherboard
Asus P6T-Se
Memory
6Gb
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire HD5770
Sound Card
On-board
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS VW246H, Samsing Syncmaster 2233, Samsung Syncmaster T200HD
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
2 x 500Gb
PSU
Coolermaster Silent Pro M700
Case
NOX
Mouse
Logitech Marble
Internet Speed
10Mbps
Other Info
Dell Inspiron 1501 with Win 8 CP 32 Bit - flying along!
Revived
VIP Member
Power User
My best guess only, feel metro UI will stay firmly with no turn off option
OS
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Home Built system
CPU
Core i5
Motherboard
Intel DH55PJ
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI 4650
Sound Card
Realtek HD Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
Screen Resolution
1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
Hard Drives
SSD 256 GB
Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
WDC 1 TB
PSU
Power
Case
Simbadda
Cooling
Conventional
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless
Mouse
Logitech Wireless
Internet Speed
1.4 MBPS
Other Info
External HDD WDC 2 TB
Dial Up Modem Huawei
Home-made Home Theater